Ralph Lawrence Bundren

Ralph Bundren passed away on January 18, 2026 just one day shy of his 102nd birthday. Born on January 19, 1924, in Ozark, Illinois, he witnessed over a century of history including the Great Depression, World War II (where he served in the Army Air Corps - later known as the Air Force), and the invention of many of the modern conveniences we now utilize. He married Evelyn Drake, now deceased, at the end of the war. She was a widow with four small children whom Ralph raised as his own.

He navigated the decades well and lived his life with honor and a resilience that inspired everyone who knew him. Ralph could regularly be heard saying that he had learned to be content in every situation and he passed this quiet strength onto his family with a knowing that everything would be alright. His Bible was in his lap every day and he would tell everyone that asked about his well being, “The Lord has been good to me.”

Ralph’s most favorite thing to do was spend time with family and friends. He was a master carpenter and general building contractor who loved working with his hands and was so happy making wooden cross favors for guests that attended his 100th birthday party. It was a true celebration of life that he was able to participate in.

Ralph is survived by his youngest son, Marvin Bundren (and his wife Liz Jodry), his daughter’s: Ruth Burns and Pamela Yancey (and her husband Patrick Yancey), his daughter-in law Janelle Galloway, and his only surviving sibling - his baby brother - Donald Bundren aged 94. Ralph was the proud patriarch of a thriving family tree that includes grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.